ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Sixteen home games at Kimmel Arena plus a trip to national power Vanderbilt highlights the 2013-14 UNC Asheville women’s basketball schedule that was released today by second-year head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick.

"I am energized about this upcoming season for many reasons, one of which is our challenging schedule,” stated Kirkpatrick. “We worked hard to construct a non-conference slate that will prepare our players for Big South play while bringing some excitement to Kimmel Arena.”

The Bulldogs open the season with two games against Southern Conference foes. Asheville opens the season at Kimmel Arena against Furman on Nov. 9 and then travels to Wofford on Nov. 14.

"The first home game for men's or women's basketball in Kimmel Arena this year will be our opener versus Furman,” commented Kirkpatrick. “We are excited to have the opportunity to play the first game of a highly anticipated season of basketball at UNC Asheville.”

Kirkpatrick’s club hosts Ohio Valley Conference foe, Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 16) before playing at mountain rival Western Carolina (Nov. 20). A two-game homestand for the Bulldogs begins with North Carolina Central (Nov. 23) and ends against Bluefield (Nov. 26).

Asheville opens Big South Conference play on the road at Charleston Southern (Dec. 2.) and Campbell (Dec. 11) sandwiched between a non-league home game vs. USC Upstate (Dec. 7).

The Blue & White finish its non-conference schedule before Christmas when the Bulldogs entertain North Carolina A&T (Dec. 17) and play at Vanderbilt (Dec. 21).

“We limited our non-conference travel to three road games in the early season, enabling our young group to establish chemistry in front of our own fans,” explained Kirkpatrick.

Asheville returns from the Christmas holidays to Big South Conference play as the Bulldogs host Gardner-Webb (Dec. 28), Presbyterian College (Dec. 30) and WNIT quarterfinalist Winthrop (Jan. 2).

Asheville heads to Longwood (Jan. 9) and Radford (Jan. 11) before coming back to Kimmel Arena as the Bulldogs entertain High Point (Jan. 16) and defending Big South champion Liberty (Jan. 18).

Asheville is on the road for four of its next five games. The Blue & White play at Coastal Carolina (Jan. 23), hosts Charleston Southern (Jan. 26) and travels to Presbyterian College (Jan. 30), (Gardner-Webb) (Feb. 1) and Winthrop (Feb. 8).

Kirkpatrick’s club finishes the regular-season with home games against Radford (Feb. 13) and Longwood (Feb. 15), road contests at Liberty (Feb. 20) and High Point (Feb. 22) and home dates vs. Campbell (Feb. 27) and Coastal Carolina (March 1).

The Big South Conference championship will be held on the campus of Coastal Carolina the week of March 4-9.

"For the first time in the Big South Conference, we will be playing everyone at home and on the road,” said Kirkpatrick. “Our players and staff are excited to compete for the first Big South championship in women's basketball since 2007. We currently have our entire roster on campus working out with our coaching staff, and our strength coach to prepare for the challenges ahead."